First things first: the Rutgers Theater Company production of “Ivona, Princess of Burgundia’’ is no run-of-the-mill event.

Not with this darkly comic, seldom-seen work by Polish novelist and playwright, Witold Gombrowicz, a play which actually foreshadows World War II. It’s a social commentary that also manages to inject humor and wit.

Most of the production’s cast is composed of second-year students in the highly respected Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers New Brunswick, making it a milestone for these actors, and a remarkable experience for the audience.

“The students have been working on a very challenging acting style that differs from many others,’’ explains “Princess of Burgundia’’ director Lenard Petit, a 30-year veteran of acting and directing and a leading figure in the Michael Chekhov teaching method.

“The students have had to learn to convey a lot through body movement, and the traditional ‘fourth wall’ of theater is suspended in this work,’’ explains Petit, who also arranged the production so each student is double cast, automatically allowing for a range of experience.

“The method is more intuitive and physical, and I’m pleased with how well the students are mastering it,’’ says Petit, a member of the Mason Gross faculty who also travels the world teaching the method being used in “Princess of Burgundia.’’

For Moorestown native Jane Miller Schumacher, who plays the title role of Ivona, the experience has been rich, rewarding, and yes, challenging.

Schumacher, a graduate of Moorestown High, never has doubted her path.

“I’ve loved acting since I was a child, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be in this program at Rutgers. I’m constantly challenged, but in the best way!’’

Her resume would be impressive for someone twice her age. Schumacher already has done “An Evening of Odets’’ for Rutgers Theater Company, along with working in regional theater including The Players Club of Swarthmore and McCarter Theatre Summer Shakespeare.

At Moorestown High, she starred in “The Miracle Worker’’ and was featured in “The Diary of Anne Frank.’’

“Jane is supremely talented and one of the best student actors with whom I’ve worked in my career,’’ says Greg Harr, Schumacher’s theater director at Moorestown High.

Harr noted this young actor’s “presence, confidence and maturity,’’ and her trademarks are hard work and professionalism as well.

One epiphany still resonates for this actor. It came to her during her McCarter experience doing Shakespeare when a friend saw her just after the performance.

“ ‘You look like you’ve just seen God!’ ’’ my friend said, and in a way, it was the closest I’ve ever come. Theater, to me, is the closest thing to actual magic that exists in this world.’’

And yes, every part is different.

“Ironically, I have few lines in the current play, but my presence and background are vital to the plot,’’ explains the Moorestown native.

As Ivona, she has created mayhem within the Burgundia when she arrives on the scene, presumably awkward, silent and plain. But she is so much more.

“Ivona’s very presence exposes the royal family’s true nature, and takes the characters to a beastly place,’’ notes Petit.

Also deeply affected by the play was Lindsay Andreanszky of Monroe Township, Middlesex County. As a second- year acting student at Mason Gross, as is Schumacher, this cast member of “Burgundia’’ plays a lady in waiting to the queen, and also Isabella, who later catches the eye of the prince.

“This whole experience is another reminder of why I love theater so much,’’ says this actor, whose older sister graduated from the Mason Gross program last year.

“I love stories that tell of human experience — and in so many ways, that’s what theater really is. Whatever role you play, you become part of that mosaic, that story,’’ says Adreanszky. “So every single time is meaningful.’’

Mason Gross’ Petit sees it just that way:

“Performance is a gift — and not just to the audience. It’s also a gift to the actors, and these undergraduate and graduate students are learning that, even at rehearsals,’’ says Petit.

“It’s a privilege — and it’s also very hard work to be an actor. And once you understand that, it’s also a magnificent way to live your life.’’

If you go

The Rutgers Theater Company’s production of Witold Gombrowicz’s “Ivona, Princess of Burgundia, will be performed at the Jameson Studio Theater, 30 Jones Avenue on the Douglass campus of Rutgers University/New Brunswick, from Tuesday, Feb. 18 to Sunday, Feb. 23. Tickets are $15 for the general public; $12 for Rutgers alumni, employees and seniors; and $10 for students with a valid ID.

Call (848) 932-7511 for tickets.

New Jersey residents involved in the production include cast members Lindsay Andreanszky of Monroe Township, Andy Do of Colts Neck, Joe Lalumia of Dayton, Jane Miller Schumacher of Moorestown, and Laura Stella Sohn of Paramus, as well as set designer Santhos Sriradchatha of Newark, costume designer Rachel Pollard of Metuchen, lighting designer Vici Chirumbolo of West Long Branch, and stage manager Katie Galaro of Holmdel.